Windsor Castle and Rowing film from 1960s
This post features a standard 8 film which was probably shot in the 1960s and covers two distinctly different subjects. The first half of the film was taken at Windsor Castle and the second at a river where a rowing team were practicing.
I acquired the film in a large batch from eBay which were supplied by a seller who deals in house clearances. I’m pretty sure that all the films I obtained were from different photographers, and there are no markings on the film to say anything about the owner, date or location.
Fortunately in this case, certainly from the first half, there is almost no detective work needed to find the location because it’s a building which would be recognised around the world.
Windsor Castle and Rowing Film
The film itself shows a soldier in a traditional bear skin helmet at the gates of the castle marching and parading whilst people watch on. There are then scenes of a military brass band parading down the road outside the gates, which makes me wonder if this was a special occasion at the Castle? I don’t know how often brass bands play, or would have played, outside the castle.
Following the scenes of the brass band there are some shots down the road which show cars parked including a Ford Capri, and I wonder, having seen these if the date may actually be a bit later than I originally thought. I haven’t changed the title because I’m not a car expert and the wiki page for the Ford Capri states it started production in Nov 1968, so it could still be in the 1960s.
Stills from the film
The second half of the film shows a team of rowers on a river practicing. In some of the scenes there are two boats rowing against each other so I assume this is a team practice session. Although I don’t know the location, I would guess it’s probably the Thames just because of its proximity to Windsor. Although this part of the film was not necessarily shot on the same day as the first half, I’m guessing that the photographer lived within the vicinity.
Anyway, here is the film. If you have any comments please let me know your thoughts in the comment box below.